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New Member Spotlight: Antony Eminowicz
Interview by Katy Carpenter
Q: Where are you from?
A: I was born in London, England. I moved to Chelmsford, in a county called Essex (on the outskirts of London) when I was 14 years of age. Part London lad. Part Essex boy.
Q: Where in London?
A: Wembley, in northwest London. The area is renowned for its national stadium.
Q: What brought you to Kingston?
A: I was a practicing elder law attorney in England and I wanted to re-qualify in the U.S. Kingston was a good area in New York because this was where my wife’s family was based. It was important we had a strong network of help on hand to help with our children while I went back to law school.
Q: What do you like about the area and community you serve?
A: It’s wonderfully historic. Not a day goes by where I’m not amazed by its historical architecture, the Hudson River and the areas forests. My kids love the area, with its wildlife and numerous trees to climb! Autumn, in particular, is an incredibly beautiful time.
Q: How many kids do you have?
A: I have two boys: Casey and Tyler.
Q: So besides London, Florida and New York, where have you traveled?
A: In light of Brexit, I’ve travelled to much of mainland Europe… and Britain!
Q: Where is your favorite place?
A: I was partial to Prague, in the Czech Republic. It was beautiful!
Q: I see you run your own firm – is there special meaning behind the name of your firm “Murad”?
A: It’s actually my middle name. I believe it’s a Persian male name. It was a choice between using my middle name or having clients continuously baffled by the spelling of my last name!
Q: What does “Murad” mean?
A: I believe it means “fulfillment of a vow vowed”. I was flabbergasted when I found out that it had an appropriate meaning for what I try to do!
Q: Tell me about your background and your work in Florida.
A: I was a practicing solicitor in England. I practiced in elder law and trust and estates (in England, this line of work is called “Private Client”). My wife and I (and our 9 month old son – Tyler) moved to Florida in 2009 and I became a paralegal in an elder law office, in Sarasota, FL. Eventually, it was time to move on. I couldn’t let the grass grow from under my feet – so we moved to NY and I went back to law school and try my hand at the Bar exam.
Q: I understand you are the only hearing person in your family and that you are fluent in sign language – how has this helped you develop into the professional you are today?
A: I advocated for the disabled long before I became an attorney. I suppose my background and upbringing was what put that “fire in my belly” about zealously representing those with special needs. As for sign language, I am fluent in Sign Supported English. This is different to British Sign Language or American Sign Language English because SSE is signing in the order that the words are actually spoken.
Q: What’s your favorite part about your job?
A: It’s certainly fulfilling – it’s nice to go home and know I’ve done my best to help someone in need.
Q: Tell me about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career.
A: Being admitted to the New York Bar was a really big deal for me and my family. A lot of twists and turns took place when we moved to the U.S. right through to when I was admitted to the Bar. As for a current project, I currently serve as co-vice chair of the Special Education Committee. Attorneys in the field of elder law and special needs really should look to become a member of the committee as there is a wealth of information available that is relevant and can only help to enhance an attorney’s own elder law/special needs practice.
Q: What did you want to be when you were 13?
A: My Gran never let me forget that I wanted to be a policeman!
Q: Are there hobbies you look forward to on the weekends?
A: My wife is an ICU nurse at the local hospital and she works night shifts during the weekend, so it’s my time with the kids. I try to take the kids somewhere different each weekend. Last Sunday we found ourselves in Bowdoin Park, in Poughkeepsie. Soccer also plays a big part in my weekend (both watching and playing). KC – Oh, so you call it soccer? AE – Yes, I have had to learn to adapt!
Q: Have you ever been given advice that you remember?
A: It’s better to know what you don’t know, than what you do…
Q: Is there anything else you want people to know about you?
A: I work of-counsel at the Cuddy Law firm on special education matters. I’m also likely the only attorney from England who actually lives and practices in special needs in New York… or at least the only one with an Essex accent!
Taken from NYSBA Elder and Special Needs Law Journal
